We bring the best of Irish literature to the world and the best of world literature to readers in Ireland.
Our mission is to develop, promote and support literary translation in Ireland. We support three main areas of activity: education and outreach; publications; and community building.
Education and outreach
As part of our efforts to connect the literatures of the world, we host public events with writers and translators from all over the world. We provide training and internship opportunities for the next generation of translators and publishers. We host events such as:
- book launches
- literary readings
- a monthly book club
- research seminars
- public lectures
- seminars, workshops and conferences
- translation slams
- student-led events
- meetings with writers and translators
Publications
- Literature Ireland promotes Irish literature abroad, primarily in translation. It administers a translation grant programme and a translator bursary programme; it supports Irish participation at international literary festivals and events, and manages the Ireland stand at the London and Frankfurt book fairs and other book fairs around the world. Literature Ireland publishes and distributes New Writing from Ireland.
- A number of staff at Trinity's School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies are actively involved in translating works of literature into or out of English; others research the theories and practice of translation.
Community building
We host a small number of residential bursaries for professional translators working on publisher-commissioned translations of works of literature. The purpose of the bursaries is to enable translators to spend a period of time in Ireland working on a translation, meeting with authors, carrying out research in Irish libraries and generally immersing themselves in the cultural, linguistic and artistic environment of contemporary Irish literature.
Our Stakeholders
School of Languages, Literature and Cultural Studies In 1776, Trinity College was the first university in the world to introduce the study of modern continental languages. Since then, we have produced thousands of high-achieving graduates, including a Nobel Prize winner. Through the wide range of literatures and cultures represented on the courses offered by the School, our international links and exchange programmes and our commitment to research in diverse cultures, the School embodies and promotes the understanding and practices of cultural and linguistic diversity. Together with our colleagues at other Irish universities, we have kept Ireland open to cultural exchange and dialogue. The School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies hosts a thriving community of postgraduate students. Some of these students are undertaking taught programmes, leading to the degree of M.Phil while others are studying for the research degrees of M.Litt. or Ph.D.
Literature Ireland is the national organisation for the international promotion of the literature of Ireland. This is done primarily by awarding translation grants to international publishers. The organisation also operates a programme of residential bursaries for literary translators, organises translator and author events at international festivals and participates regularly in the major world book fairs. A not-for-profit organisation, Literature Ireland is funded by the Arts Council and by Culture Ireland. Operating since 1995, Literature Ireland has funded the translation of over 2,000 works of Irish literature into almost 60 languages.
Trinity Centre for Literary and Cultural Translation is happy to collaborate with research bodies, cultural agencies and publishing houses nationally and internationally.